Even if you are not sure in your mind about the promises of God, remember what we are called to be, have, and receive:
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." (Romans 12:1-3)
We are called to present ourselves a living sacrifice to God. We show up, He works on us, and behold how transformed we become.
Yet what about "be ye transformed"? How does this happen? By the renewing of our mind. But how do we do that?
Paul provides the answer in another letter:
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18)
This text can also be rendered thus:
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
Or also
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
We look upon Him by grace, seeing and receiving His unending love for us. This in turn transforms us from glory to glory. By this are our minds renewed. We do not renew our own minds, but Christ in us through the Holy Spirit transforms us into the likeness of our Lord and Savior.
Sadly, many believers think that once they are saved, they should therefore have no more problems with negative emotions or temptations. Indeed, our spirit man is renewed eternal and eternally, but our minds must continue being renewed by the rich, infinite spirit and truth of His Word. It takes very little to sully our minds, yet with diligent eyes beholding the Lord, we continue to be transformed, our minds renewed!
In Romans 12, Paul also cautions us "not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think."
Another translation renders this passage more accurately:
"For I say, through the grace that was given to me, to every one who is among you, not to think above what it behoveth to think; but to think so as to think wisely, as to each God did deal a measure of faith." (Young's Literal Translation)
We are called not just to avoid thinking more highly of ourselves, but thinking more than we ought to, period. We should not "overthink" (the literal translation of ὑπερφρονεῖν huperphroneó), to have high notions, which other translators have fleshed out thus:
"5252 hyperphronéō (from 5228 /hypér, "beyond" and 5426 /phronéō, "personal perspective regulating behavior") – properly, think beyond, exceeding proper (appropriate) limits; (figuratively) to act high-minded, lacking humility and a true sense of reality (Abbott-Smith)"
How, then are we to think? Soberly, which renders the Greek word σωφρονέω
sōphronéō – properly, safety-minded; having a sober outlook that reflects true balance.
Scripturetext.com provides the following explication for σωφρονέω:
"For the believer, 4993 /sōphronéō ("think shrewdly") reflects what God defines is true moderation. This God-controlled perspective blends the extremities of truth on both sides of a matter. See 4998 (sōphrōn)."
The point: God-controlled Moderation. There is scripture to support this:
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3)
When we stay, or rest, our mind, imagination, anything formed within us on the Lord, we enjoy perfect peace. Jesus explains this perfectly in the Sermon on the Mount:
"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
"And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock." (Matthew 7:24-25)
Scripturetext.com comments further: "[The whole word-family (root, sōphro-) comes from two words: sōos ("safe") and phrēn ("what regulates life," the root of the English term, "diaphragm")."
"σωφρονέω" testifies to a mind that is safe -- our minds safeguarded by the blood of Christ:
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10-11)
From which Paul admonishes:
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:17)
Here, one could argue that the helmet of salvation, on our heads protecting our mind with the Holy Spirit safeguarding knowledge that we are saved, is combined with the sword of the spirit as one composite whole: in the Word of God.
Scripturetext.com details further to the meaning of "σωφρονέω":
"Example: An opera singer controls the length (quality) of their tones by their diaphragm, which even controls our ability to breathe and moderates heartbeat. This regulates ("brings safety") to the body, keeping it properly controlled."
We are called to meditate on the forever-wonderful promises of God, which keep our minds renewed in safety and security.
We believe, we receive, and God achieves! Blessed be the Name of the Lord!
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